 If you’re anything like me, you’ve been deeply saddened by the fact that you haven't traveled in nearly a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Birthday celebrations have been canceled. Family reunions have gone virtual. And those sweet romantic getaways have all but been obliterated.
As you may be anxiously awaiting a more stable travel experience, there are still some ways you can enjoy the world with your significant other. The secret is bringing travel to you in the comfort of your own home. The number one reason travel is so important for our mental health is that it gives us an escape from our day-to-day lives. We can completely disconnect and unwind while recharging our batteries and immersing ourselves into a new culture. If you have vacation days to burn, but don't feel safe going anywhere yet, it's still important to take time off work for your sanity (and for your partner or families). So, what better timing than to discuss some ideas for Valentine's Day! You can plan something special for this coming lovers weekend. However, if it's too soon for you to prepare... you can start planning something special for you and your sweetie to enjoy some time off work together in the near future. Here are three fun ways to enjoy a staycation that can help you feel as though you and your partner are on vacation. Create some travel memories from home until you can experience the real thing!
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 Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I’m personally happy to put 2020 behind me and forge forward into this new year!
With that being said – I know that a lot of you are looking forward to the next time that you can travel again! Worldwide travel that is. There are some destinations already open for American tourists, but each country has their own entry requirements to consider before you venture out. I’m so ready for the vaccine release to continue circulation so we can see more countries open up for travel, in addition to, providing us all a better idea on expectations for any new travel requirements. I will keep you updated on this news as soon as there are definite answers released. As we start this new, and hopefully improved year – I wanted to make an official announcement about a new and EXCITING destination that I’ve added to my travel planning services as a new specialty...  It’s no secret that this year has been a weird one for traveling due to COVID-19. As the country and the world has slowly started to open back up, you might be wondering if it’s okay to start adding stamps to your passport again.
I’ve had many travelers and wedding groups head to resorts since July, and I have prepared them all for the new expectations they may experience while vacationing during a pandemic. Things feel a little different than before and you may see some amenities or activities not available as they adhere to local laws and safety guidelines.  As many of us head into chilly temperatures and the early darkness blues as the sun is setting too quickly these days, I’m getting more calls for last minute winter vacations. Resort vacations have increased lately as a last ditch effort to enjoy a vacation before the years over… and what better way to end a shitty year, then a beach all-inclusive vacay where you don’t have to worry about reality for a few days!?!
If you are busting at your wits end from not having a vacation this year, and done dealing with all the negativity this year has thrown at us – but you may have questions on safety of travel - let’s chat to discuss all the new protocols and requirements to ease your mind. You'll be surprised at how much more other destinations and resorts are doing than many of our own cities. Of course, if you are in a high-risk group with underlying medical conditions – you should still stay quarantined at home and follow your doctor’s advice. If you are daydreaming about a white Christmas... a sandy white one that is – now is the time to get your vacation locked in. Imagine playing in the sand at an all-inclusive beach resort, instead of shoveling snow this winter! There are a few resorts that extended their “Work & Learn” programs for families that are doing remote school and working from home – so you can feel comfortable departing and still be able to participate in your online environment. Who wouldn’t want an office with a view while working/learning and then heading down to the pool for some play between breaks?! When are you ever going to get a chance like this again?! Hopefully never! Embrace the dream of a warm white winter...  When 2020 began, I’m betting you had no idea things would turn out the way that they have. I sure didn't!! It feels like a lifetime ago, but I started out the year on a mind-blowing safari in Africa and just a few days after my return, the "world blew up", as I like to say.
This pandemic has certainly been an educational experience, to say the least. For many of us, it’s brought with it extreme stress and that is just one of the things that prompted this post today. If you’re anything like me, you might be in serious need of a massage to relieve some of that stress. After all, massage is more than just rubbing and pressing the skin. It’s actually “considered part of complementary and integrative medicine” due to the benefits the body can enjoy from it. (1) I had to learn the hard, and expensive way, when I didn't listen to my body and start treatments before it got too bad, and now I struggle to reverse the damage. I have a routine of massage that combines some physical therapy techniques to keep my pain at bay which could have been avoided. I wanted to share 7 reasons you need a massage for your health AND one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts that is a dream for spa treatments, relaxation and rejuvenation! In these uncertain times, it’s critical now more than ever working with a travel agent for booking your transportation and lodging accommodations both domestically and abroad. One of the most important lessons people have learned during the Coronavirus Pandemic is that in any kind of emergency, no one will advocate for your best interests quite like a travel advisor will. The reality is when the pandemic first started disrupting travel, causing resorts to close, and leading to flight cancellations in early 2020, many tourists were left out in the cold. In the worst cases, people were stranded in vacation destinations unsure of how to get home. Some even had to spend obscene amounts of money to change transportation plans at the last minute.
 Now that you’ve chosen your destination there’s no stopping you from day-dreaming your way through the work week about the imminent vacation bliss that is to be yours in just a few short months.
But take note, before you go packing three bathing suits because you can’t pick just one, now is the time to talk about the not-so-fun stuff that could ruin your entire vacation – or stop it from happening altogether. In this article, I'll walk you through some passport requirements for international travel that you may not be aware of...  Do you ever get the feeling that the property reviews on TripAdvisor or similar websites are a little shady? Like they might not be real or biased?
If so, then keep reading because I’m going to share with you the truth about reviews for resorts and what you should consider before you book that trip...  Unless you have an endless supply of wealth, odds are you won’t be able to travel the world full-time. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the world to you with travel decor and novelty items that remind you of the places you’ve been and the places you still want to go.
Everywhere I go, I try to pick-up one piece of something, whether that be artwork, clothing, bowls (dining or storage), signs, trinkets, etc… Even if it’s just a special photo, I will get it printed on canvas to add around my house. Anything that reminds me of the experience and memories I’ve created during my travels. Such a simple way to wake up with a smile and start your day on a good note – what’s better than reliving all your carefree memories as you walk around your house! Check out a few of the below items I found recently when I went down the rabbit hole looking at some travel themed goodies...  You’re probably aware that some travel agents/advisors claim that their services are completely free and that other travel agents charge fees.
But how much do travel agents charge - and why do we charge at all? Travel agent fees vary from agency to agency, but to give you a quick idea, you can find a typical range between $100 to $1200 depending on the destination, length of stay and complexity of the itinerary. In keeping with my honesty and transparency, I feel it’s necessary to have an open discussion about travel agent fees, why Destinations HD charges fees and what you're actually paying for. In light of the current situation regarding COVID-19, this has been a hot topic and more travel professionals are introducing fees, so I wanted to take this opportunity to help you to understand the reasons why and the role of your travel agent as you begin to book travel in the future. This is quite lengthy, but there is so much to cover. Grab your cup of coffee - I hope you find this informative and enjoy a glimpse into the agent life... |
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